Last Friday, I took a vacation leave from work to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Louie. We had a celebratory meal at Mamou, Serendra and walked down memory lane as well in Bonifacio High Street where we spent V-day five years ago. ♡

As foreign as it may sound, Mamou is totally a 100% Filipino-owned restaurant. Mamou (pronounced as “ma-moo”), we’ve learned from the “Matter of Fact” section on the place mat, is what Malou Fores’ nephew used to call her, and the rest is history! This restaurant specializes in steaks: USDA prime grade beef in different cuts and done-ness. However, we didn’t go to Mamou for their steak because try as I might, even a massive hunk of tender beef in front of me won’t appeal as tempting. 😛

Review of Mamou Serendra (Bonifacio Global City)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

Red walls, black and white checkered floor tiles, and wide counter across the dining area—all these remind me of the restaurant I used to design back then in Restaurant City, an app on Facebook. 🙂 The relaxing and modern vibe tends to gear toward welcoming a casual yet elegant crowd and environment. And oh, look at the bright, candle-inspired chandeliers! The color seems to be observing Valentine’s day all-year ’round. The place can get pretty noisy though when more dining customers talk at the same time.

Service: ★★★★★

I was surprised when the waiter made a hand gesture to hook my bag under the table. I smiled and said it’s okay for me to do it on my own. I liked the servers’ attitude here: courteous, responsive and friendly. They have the kind of customer service that’s fit for a classy environment.

Food: ★★★★☆

After being caught in heavy traffic jam, we came in late for our reservation but still just in time for lunch. For complimentary appetizer, a basket of bread with regular and wheat sourdoughs was given with an ample helping of butter on the side. The bread was soft and tasted fresh but not phenomenally delicious.

We were glad that our actual order was served quickly. Succulent, juicy and not overly oily, the Tofu and Spring Rolls (PHp 210) with vinegar and sweet chili sauces were a unique take on the traditional Shanghai rolls. The crunchy lumpia skin gave way to mashed tofu, ubod and tinapa. Taken together, few comfort foods can compare.

The sweet white flesh of the Fish Mamou Katsu (PHp 300) righted all wrongs, with nearly melt-on-your-tongue tenderness. The fish fillet had an impossibly delicate and crispy crust that held its shape just long enough to be briefly dipped into the apple tartar sauce. While Louie liked the condiment, I thought the breaded fish was better without it. The red buttered parsley rice that came with the dish merely delivered a straightforward performance. More glutinous than the white rice, the red rice tasted so healthy and wholesome.

Mamou is also famous for its Roast Pork and Chicken (PHp 345, half). Many other restaurants we know may have the same name on their menus, but Mamou’s monstrosity made of citrus rubbed pork and chicken, buttered onions, red Cuban rice, cinnamon saba and black beans taste far different for sure. Yes, their version is worth the praise, though perhaps not to such an ecstatic degree that it receives.

I tried a tiny chunk of the roast pork and thought it was tasty but not sublime. The roast chicken almost tasted the same, so the highlight of the plate for me were the black beans and the banana. 🙂 The contrast of flavors worked wonders. Overall, diners can best enjoy this entree by alternating each piece as their taste buds find fit.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

Mamou’s diverse menu piques the curiosity of the insatiably food curious like me. Prices are mid-range and the dishes in terms of portion, quality and presentation were all well worth. We had a great time. I thank Louie for bringing me here and breaking my misconception that Mamou only serves a lot of steak and other meaty food that signal a turn-off.

Apparently, Mamou’s menu features plenty of vegetarian finds I’m very interested about. To name a few, there’s the Vegetarian Adobado with Pickled Ubod (PHp 295) made with tofu, saging saba, pickled ubod, white or red buttered parsley rice, Mamou’s Shroom Burger (PHp 495) that has a portabello and shiitake patty on buttered bun, with lettuce, tomato and onion, and Truffle Flavored Vegetable Mushroom dip with Whole Wheat Melba Chips (PHp 195). I can’t imagine how these taste right now, but I’m definitely in for some surprise in our next visit. 😀

Unit 1C - 15 G/F Serendra, Fort Bonifacio Heights
For inquiries, contact (+632) 856-3569 / (+632) 909-5741 (+63917) 816-2668 or email eat@mymamou.com
Date Published: 02/18/2014
17 / 20 stars

Operating hours:
Mon – Fri: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Sat: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Sun: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm

Other branch:
Mamou too! Rockwell
L R1 148A, Rockwell Power Plant Mall, Makati City
Tels. (+632) 822-6218 / (+63917) 806-2668

About 

Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.

77 Responses

  1. lovemindanao

    you gave their service a perfect score ! and always go for an establishment that builds their confidence on service as people would go back for sure because of this … will munch here if given a chance to drop by at Serendra ….

    Reply
  2. Kath Rivera

    The food looks great. I’m sure you had a great time there! The tofu and spring roll is a classic “ulam” sa house, I guess their version is better.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Yup, if you’re the type who’s not into trying out new dishes but prefer familiar ones on the menu, the tofu and fish spring rolls may be your best bet. 😉

      Reply
  3. joy

    food looks good and the mid range price is okay for a once in a while dining, louie is he your boyfriend? sorry just curious hehe

    Reply
  4. Alyssa (@heyitsalyssayu)

    The food looks so yummy!
    I totally agree, their service is one of the best!
    Can’t wait to go back there!

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Having a good reputation for service can be a deal-maker or deal-breaker. In the case of Mamou, I think most customers are satisfied and the management recognizes this as a key to success.

      Reply
  5. Rally L.C.

    You guys seemed to have a wonderul time at Mamou. It is always interesting to discover new places through blogs. The fish fillet looks delicious. Thank you for sharing!
    Hugs,
    Rally

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      You’re welcome. Yup, the fish katsu was great but the sauce was mediocre. I used the vinegar and the sweet chili sauce from the spring rolls for the fish and they were surprisingly better.

      Reply
  6. Mindy

    Happy belated Valentine’s Day! Your pictures always manage to make me feel hungry *LOL*, and this place looks great-although on the contrary to you i AM a huge meat lover (i have a weird taste bud of a guy, while my husband has a more delicate, lady like taste bud, it’s hilarious-most waiter/waitresses would mixed up our orders because of the stereotyping of guys eats meat and the lady eats delicate things :p)

    Reply
  7. Genzel

    Ohh I wasn’t expecting that it’s a Filipino owned resto because of its name. They have delectable food choices and I believe their prices are worth it. I also love the ambiance. The red theme of their place is perfect for your Vday Celeb ha 🙂

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Packed with restaurants and outstanding bars, Serendra is the place to go. Deciding where to eat is usually a problem. You can head out to Mamou for great food.

      Reply
  8. Charmaine Manansala

    Aww looks like you guys had a great time and oohh “Mamou” is something different! never heard of it before hehe but omg i love steaks!!! you shouldve gotten that lol

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Steaks are great but they’re just not my “cup of tea.” 😛 Mamou had a set menu especially for Valentine’s Day but our tummies could not afford to be filled with so much food we really could not take. Thus we ended up ordering a la carte items off the menu which was a good decision anyway.

      Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Thanks, Lornajane. 🙂 If you’re willing to walk down to BGC, you can really find some excellent dishes in unlikely places. There are new restaurants in High Street (lower part) that might just as well be worth trying soon.

      Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      As they say, YOLO. 😛 (I’ve never used the term before and felt so outdated/ignorant for not knowing that it means You Only Live Once.) I still have plenty of leave credits so I might as well use them or they’d be forfeited.

      Reply
  9. Gil Camporazo

    As far as business is concerned the type of service it is being offered makes it perfectly demanding. The clients, the customers keep on coming back or patronizing that business because of its A-1 service. So you’re right and I agree with you that you perfectly rated the service of Mamou as what the server or the waiter has shown.

    Reply
  10. jane

    ma-moo sounds a gay lingo’ or gay words haha as I always say it to my close aunties. the foods looks very nice and it is nice seeing your photo with your le boyfie.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Thanks, Jane. It’s weird that mamu (although not spelled the same as Mamou) means “a goofy character who’s trying to fool people” in Hindi. Also in Mumbai, the term refers to “maternal uncle.” So it’s not really gay lingo after all.

      Reply
  11. Pal Raine

    MA-MOO for me is my great grand LOLA. Anyway, this place is cool. Pack with great service and food are sumptuous delicious. You said that they served your food quickly, you haven’t waited for a long time…then that’s a great service indeed.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Yup I hear some people call their grandmother mamu. As for the service, it was really commendable considering that the restaurant was full with customers that time and yet they were able to cook and serve food fast.

      Reply
  12. Yamito Uytingco Calamba

    Me and someone I used to go out with (ahem! haha) frequents Mamou. And i’m so glad you gave them good ratings! 🙂 PS. You and Louie looks good together talaga! Ayieeee! hahahahaha 😉

    Reply
  13. Sol Felice

    Props to the management for such good customer service. I know the steaks are their specialty but the tofu and spring rolls caught my attention..and taste buds. 🙂

    Reply
  14. Ivy

    Wow… it looks so nice and all of your photos are so pretty that makes me want to go there and see it for myself! <3

    Reply

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